Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system is one of the oldest PC/gaming speaker systems on the market and it's still one of the most popular speaker systems. It is a great choice for gamers but it's also great for movies and music and if you are looking for a speaker system under $200 for your desktop, you should definitely check it out.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system was first introduced back in 2000 and it has been around for more than 15 years. In that time, the number of changes made on this speaker system was minimal. Most of the changes were cosmetic and the only real change is the type of the preamp input on the subwoofer (because the old DIN connector was too fragile). When some product manages to stay competitive after so many years and with no major changes, there has to be something special about it. There are, in fact, many great things about it.
This is one of the best sounding PC speaker systems on the market. The older version of this speaker is THX-certified which means that it meets some really high requirements regarding the audio performance. THX certificate is the ultimate proof of quality and in order to get it, the speaker has to pass a bunch of tests. The new version doesn’t have THX certificate, probably because Klipsch tried to cut costs (the manufacturer has to pay for the certification) and to make the speaker system more competitive (less expensive). In this article, we will be reviewing the old THX-certified version but you should also know that there is no noticeable difference in audio performance or sound quality between the two versions.
The speaker system was probably looking futuristic when it was first introduced but compared to today’s speakers it’s a simple and stylish speaker system. If you are into more futuristic and flashy design, you won’t be amazed. The system is compact compared to other 2.1 speaker systems on the market. The satellites are relatively small (but hefty) and unobtrusive. The subwoofer is not that small but it is supposed to be placed under your desk so it won’t stand in your way.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system can transform your room into a mini home theater but it still can’t replace a real surround sound system. If your PC’s sound card supports 5.1 surround sound, and if you have enough money and enough space, you should definitely go for 5.1 system but if you don’t have that kind of money, or don’t have enough space, or if your sound card doesn’t support 5.1 surround sound, ProMedia 2.1 speaker system is a great substitute.
The subwoofer can go down to 31Hz which is pretty low for its size, and those two-way satellites with recognizable Klipsch MicroTractrix horn tweeters and mid-bass woofers deliver rich and detailed mids and highs.
There are also some downsides you should be aware of. First and the most annoying thing is that satellites are hardwired. Cables are long enough (probably even too long) but they are not detachable and if a cable breaks, you will have to open the satellite speaker to replace it. Detachable cables would be a much better solution. A few years ago, the new Bluetooth-enabled version of Klipsch Promedia 2.1 speaker system was introduced but this one also comes with hardwired satellites. The Bluetooth module is just a nice additional feature which allows you to connect your phone or laptop wirelessly.
Also, the speaker is kind of pricey, mostly because it’s THX-certified. THX certification is not free and in order to get the certificate, you have to pay for the tests. Many manufacturers (including Klipsch) decide not to go through the certification process even if their speakers meet the requirements just because it’s too expensive and it would increase the final price of their product (that would make the final product less competitive). So, if a device is THX-certified, you can be assured that it meets some really high criteria regarding audio performance. On the other hand, the lack of THX certificate doesn’t necessarily imply that the product is crappy. Klipsch got the certificate for the older version but they decided to make the new version less expensive. That’s why the new version is not THX-certified. They haven’t changed the design of the speaker system itself – they only removed the THX logo.
- Great sound quality –very detailed and rich sound, perfect for gaming, music, and movies
- THX-certified
- Separate subwoofer controls (bass knob)
- Simple installation
- Everything is hardwired – cables are not detachable
- Kind of expensive
- Cannot hit really low frequencies
If you are looking for a 2.1 speaker system and if your budget is set at $150 or $200, Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system is one of the best options. It delivers a great sound quality with punchy bass, clear and detailed mids, and crisp highs.
What’s in the box?
ProMedia 2.1 speaker system comes in a black Klipsch-branded box. The package weighs 25 pounds and inside the package, you will find one subwoofer, 2 satellites, user manual, and 1-year warranty. All the cables are permanently attached to the speakers (speaker cables, AUX cable, AC cable).
Specs
Design
The speaker system looks quite simple but elegant. The subwoofer is boxy and it’s made of MDF. The bass reflex port is on the front panel while the 6.5-inch driver is located on the right side. The satellites look very stylish. They come with metal stands which significantly improve their stability. Each satellite has two drivers (mid-bass woofer and tweeter) protected with a plastic grille with a thin fabric on it. The grille is removable and you will get the same performance with and without the grille.
Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 with and without the grilles
The right satellite is considered the main channel and all the controls and inputs are located on the control pod at the bottom of the right speaker. On the front side, there are two volume knobs. The left one is subwoofer knob (you can use it to control the amount of bass), and the right one is the main volume knob.
Volume controls on the main/right speaker
On the right side of the main speaker, there are two AUX ports (one input and one output). You can use the input to connect your phone or any other audio device with a 3.5mm output and play the music from your device. The AUX output is a headphone jack.
AUX input and output on the main/right speaker
Both satellites are hardwired. The cables are on the back and they are not detachable. The left speaker has only two speaker wires while the right/main speaker has two speaker wires, one AUX cable, and one additional cable with DIN connector that is supposed to be plugged into the preamp port on the rear panel of the subwoofer.
Both satellites are hardwired
The subwoofer features 4 speaker wire inputs (spring clips), one preamp input, and AC cable.
Inputs on the back side of the subwoofer
Features
Promedia 2.1 system features quite powerful 130W subwoofer. The driver has only 6.5-inch diameter but it can deliver a great amount of bass for its size. The enclosure is made of MDF and it's ported for an improved bass response.
Two-way satellite speakers are in charge of midrange and high-frequency reproduction. Each satellite features one 3-inch long-throw mid-bass woofer (in charge of midrange frequencies) and one 0.75-inch MicroTractix horn tweeter made of polymer. Horn-loaded twitters are one of the Klipsch trademarks and they are supposed to enable better dispersion of high frequencies and cleaner audio reproduction.
Klipsch trademark – MicroTractrix horn
The speaker system can be plugged into any AUX output (your sound card, TV, or any other device). The system also features one additional AUX input and one AUX output (headphone jack).
Klipsch ProMedia is THX-certified and that’s one of the most important highlights and one of the things that significantly increases the price of the system.
Performance
Placement and installation are quite simple. The subwoofer is supposed to go on the floor, preferably under your desk (so it doesn’t get in your way) while the tweeters are supposed to be 3-5ft apart. After you place all the three speakers, you can wire the system. All the wires are already connected to the satellites. You are supposed to connect both satellites to the subwoofer and then plug the 3.5mm cable coming from the right satellite to your audio source (sound card, TV). After you are done, you can plug in the system into the power outlet and play some music.
It’s not that hard to wire everything but the fact that the satellites are hardwired and that you cannot detach the cables is the most annoying thing. If the cable breaks, it will be much harder to replace it.
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You can control the volume of the system through the main volume knob and you can control the amount of bass through the subwoofer knob.
If you are watching a movie or listening to music late at night and you don’t want to wake up your neighbors, you can simply attach your headphones to the headphone jack and the sound will go to your headphones. You don’t have to unplug the speaker from your sound card.
Also, if you want to play the music from your phone through the speaker system, you have one additional AUX input. Just connect your phone to the speaker and play the music.
Sound Quality
We have emphasized the sound quality since the very beginning for a reason. The very fact that the speaker system is THX-certified implies that this speaker system delivers an amazing audio performance. And that's our honest opinion, too. After hours of listening to music and a mini movie marathon, we have come to the conclusion that a 2.1 speaker system can’t get much better. The bass is strong and punchy but it’s always under control and doesn't get overwhelming. The subwoofer can’t hit those crazy low notes but you cannot expect that from a 6.5-inch driver. For its size, the subwoofer delivers more than enough bass and the best thing is that it doesn’t distort lower midrange frequencies. When you crank up the volume above 90%, the distortion becomes noticeable. Those two satellites deliver dynamic and detailed mids with super-clean voices and sparkling highs. The highs are not too intense or piercing which is sometimes the case with Klipsch horn-loaded tweeters. All in all, the sound is very balanced and the sound signature is neutral.
The Competition
Logitech Z623 2.1 Speaker System
Logitech Z623 is in many ways similar to Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system and it can be a great cheaper alternative. Our team would even argue that it’s a better choice than Klipsch ProMedia. This is also a 2.1 speaker system and it's THX-certified. All the inputs and outputs you can find on ProMedia, you can find on Z623, too. Z623 features additional RCA inputs so it’s more versatile than Klipsch speaker system. It also has a slightly larger subwoofer, it can go a little bit deeper and it’s louder. The overall sound quality is on par with ProMedia speaker system but Klipsch ProMedia delivers cleaner and crispier treble.
Harman Kardon Soundsticks III 2.1 Channel Multimedia Speaker System
Soundsticks III is more about the looks and design. The sound quality is very balanced, and the bass is punchy but the sound is not as powerful and loud as the sound of Klipsch ProMedia. Soundsticks is definitely more sophisticated – the speakers are made of transparent plastic and the system features those fancy touch-sensitive controls but if you care more about the performance than about the looks, Klipsch ProMedia is a clear winner.
Edifier USA S330D 2.1 Speaker System
Edifier is another great 2.1 speaker system. In our opinion, it looks better than Klipsch Promedia and it’s completely made of MDF (all three speakers). It’s priced the same as Klipsch ProMedia. S330D comes with a wired remote control connected to the right/main speaker. S330D features more inputs and outputs than Klipsch ProMedia (it has additional RCA and digital optical inputs), it’s more versatile, and allows you to connect more devices to the speaker. When it comes to audio performance, Klipsch ProMedia is definitely better. ProMedia delivers richer, cleaner, more detailed, and louder sound.
Comparison Table
Final Thoughts
We have no doubts that Klipsch ProMedia is a great 2.1 speaker system. It can really improve your listening experience and it’s equally good for gaming, movies, and music. It delivers very powerful and balanced sound. The number of inputs on ProMedia speaker system is limited and if you want something with more inputs, you should check out Logitech Z623 or Edifier USA S330D. Logitech Z623 is, without any doubt, our favorite cheap alternative. If you really care about the design but also want a speaker system that sounds good, Harman Kardon Soundsticks III is a great choice.
